Courtenay Jobs, Local Food

Position: Front of House Manager: LUSH Cafe
Organization: LUSH Valley Food Action Society
Location: NIC Cafeteria, Courtenay, BC

Wage: $28.01 per hour
Plus holiday, benefits and wellness package

Schedule: 40 hours per week
Generally Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Posting Closes: January 5th, 2026
Interviews: January 7th and 8th, 2026
Start Date: February 2nd, 2026

GENERAL OVERVIEW

LUSH Valley Food Action Society is a Comox Valley based non-profit organization. We envision a region where healthy, local food is at the heart of community wellbeing. We support the Comox Valley community to gain food-systems tools, engage in just and resilient local food systems and receive equitable access to nourishing food.

When you work with LUSH Valley, you become part of an energetic and passionate team making positive change in the Comox Valley.

ROLE SUMMARY

LUSH Valley is looking for an experienced Front of House Manager to manage the cafeteria at North Island College. The ideal candidate will be passionate about local food and beverage, customer service, and able to prepare hot drinks to order.

The Front of House Manager will work alongside the Cafe Manager to ensure efficient execution of a busy breakfast and lunch service, as well as support with catering and dinner service as needed.

This role is a key element of a small team, ensuring food and drink are served to customers in an efficient and friendly manner. Experience working in a kitchen is an asset.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Available to open or close the cafeteria as needed
• Customer service
• Taking orders and cash handling
• Provide drinks and other support for LUSH Valley catering events
• Lead Front of House food safety and sanitation procedures
• Prepare hot and cold drinks, including espresso-based drinks
• Be sensitive and accommodating to a variety of allergies or food sensitivities
• Support the Cafe Manager and Kitchen Assistant with inventory management
• Meeting Food Safe requirements and keeping a tidy kitchen and service area
• Collaborate with various staff, board, volunteers, farmers, and community partners
• Additional tasks as required

SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently and/or part of a team
• Ability to take a leadership role in the cafe
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to greet and serve customers, including dealing with customer complaints, with compassion and efficiency
• The ability to maintain calm under pressure
• Collaborative, can-do attitude
• Good time-management and organizational skills
• Ability to organize, multitask and self-direct
• Ability to foster and maintain positive working relationships
• Ability to develop training materials and train other staff on daily operations

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of customer service experience
• A relevant degree or diploma
• Experience handling cash, working a cash register, and performing daily cash reconciliation and reports
• Managerial experience an asset
• Valid FoodSafe Certification
• Criminal record clearance
• Class 5 driver's license with a clear driver's abstract

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position is based in the cafeteria at the North Island College, Courtenay campus.

The cafeteria kitchen includes a walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer, dry storage area, along with commercial cooking equipment. The Front of House area includes a specialty drink machine, drip coffee machine, and display case with hot and cold grab and go food items.

Some heavy lifting is required in this role. Business-casual attire may be required for certain events.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and cover letter to Natasha at: support@lushvalley.org

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.

LUSH Valley is grateful to receive all applications, but we can only contact shortlisted candidates.

LUSH Valley believes in diversity, employment equity and social justice. We encourage applications from all community members, but would be especially interested in receiving them from Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disability, LGBTQIA2S+ people and members of marginalized communities.